Atlanta Pride ED steps down to take job with the Health Initiative

“I believe that my skill set is ideal for the Health Initiative’s expansion work. My interest in LGBT health has grown with my involvement in the Pride Community Health Expo, partnerships with Grady and Kaiser, and my own personal experiences related to healthcare as a trans man. The Health Initiative’s movement toward reaching a more broad community excites me and I want to play a role in this new level of outreach.”

Atlanta Pride Committee board chair Glen Paul Freedman praise Sheffield’s work with the largest Pride festival in the Southeast.

“James has served this organization well in his decade-plus tenure with Pride. The last two of which have been at the helm as Executive Director.” Freedman said. “While we are saddened that he will be leaving us, we are excited for him in his new endeavor and wish him well.”

The Health Initiative and Atlanta Pride have had a close relationship over the years, Freedman said. And the move for Sheffield may be a huge step professionally, it’s not one physically — the Health Initiative and Atlanta Pride have offices inside the Phillip Rush Center.

“The Health Initiative has been an important partner of Atlanta Pride’s for many years. While we will miss him, we are very happy that Shef [Sheffield] is going to be continuing as a leader in Atlanta’s LGBTQ community, and supporting our friends,” Freedman said. “Because both Pride and the Health Initiative have office space in the Rush Center, he is just moving across the hall, so we will still see him frequently.”